T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 579

To Col. Perie Joyce Mervue GALWAY 14. 6. 28 336171 A/C S.aw Royal Air Force Miranshaw Fort Wa.iristan India. Dear Joyce I am glad that your Seven Pillars did after all turn up. It is an inadequate thing, but probably the best account of the Arab Revolt yet in print. Some day someone will have to do a "proper" one. I'd have liked to have written "the story": but I found that my interests was too partisan. I do not think I would have been fair to the others. Do you know I'm glad, in some ways, that you are out of Iraq? I'd have all of us stand a.side now, from the show. People learn by falling down, more than by being held up: and Iraq has (I fancy) passed the stage at which i hope you will find something congenial to do: instead: tough Ireland cannot be a very good hunting ground, just now. Galway sounds moist and pleasant (these Aidann lilts are like Wadi Itm: and we are confined to the barbed wire: twenty-five R.A.F. and 700 Indian irregulars:- that's Miranshaw, but I cannot come home till the summer of 1936, film of "Revolt" for the great B.P. to digest, first. Even in 1930, however, it cannot be Galway for me, I'm afraid. We actually came from Kilina, in Keath: but that side of the world is barred, now. Best of wishes. Yours T E S. Don't tell of this. I hate having my real roots dragged up for inspection.